Welshpool’s Bobby going coast-to-coast for charity

A Welshpool man has received the backing of his boss, MP Steve Witherden, as he prepares to tackle a 325-mile bike ride for charity that will take him from one side of the UK to the other.

Bobby Crosby, 24, is a member of Mr Witherden’s team, and will be cycling from Southend to Aberystwyth to raise money for Ponthafren, a Welshpool and Newtown-based mental health charity.

He will be attempting the feat over five days, from Tuesday, March 18, to Saturday, March 22, starting by the mouth of the Thames in Southend-on-Sea and finishing on the Welsh coast.

The mammoth ride will include the width of Montgomeryshire, with a stop in Welshpool at the eastern edge of the Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr constituency, and in Machynlleth at its western edge.

Over the month of March, not-for-profit industry association ukactive is hosting the Parliamentary ‘Fit for Office’ challenge, where MPs, Lords, and their staff compete to rack up points by raising their heart rate.

The challenge aims to demonstrate to constituents across the country the importance of incorporating physical activity into the workday and encourage them to be more active.

Steve Witherden, Member of Parliament for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, commented:

“I am incredibly proud that my staff are taking part in this challenge and attempting such an impressive ride across the width of England and Wales, including across Montgomeryshire.

“My excuse is that I am much too busy representing constituents to join in, but I am glad that my office is demonstrating the importance of keeping fit and helping to fundraise for such a vital service, which supports so many people in Montgomeryshire.”

Ponthafren is a local charity with facilities in Welshpool and Newtown, providing counselling, one-to-one recovery, and a variety of courses and outreach services.

Jamie Burt, Director of Ponthafren, commented: “All of us at Ponthafren would like to thank the office of Steve Witherden MP for this amazing fundraising effort.

“We provide well over a thousand people a year with mental health services in North Powys and are very grateful for all the continued support from the community.

“Please consider donating to Bobby’s fundraiser if you are able. Thank you, and good luck Bobby!”

You can support Bobby’s bike ride by clicking here.